HeyRuaHow to say “hound” in Irish
- Irish:
- cú
- English:
- hound, hero
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, fourth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “koo” /kuː/
- Plural:
- cúnna (hounds)
- Genitive singular:
- cú, an chú (e.g. ceann an chú, the hound's head)
- Genitive plural:
- cúnna, na gcúnna (e.g. rás na gcúnna, the race of the hounds)
What does “cú” mean?
“Cú” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- hound
- A dog bred for hunting or racing, especially a greyhound.Also: greyhound, hunting dog, dog.
“Cú” with the article
The plural of hound in Irish is cúnna. Here is cú after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cú” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cú, the Irish word for hound.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Hound in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for hound?
The Irish for hound is cú (pronounced “koo”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is cúnna. Depending on context it can also mean hero.
How do you pronounce cú in Irish?
Cú is said like “koo” (IPA /kuː/).
What is the plural of hound in Irish?
The plural of cú is cúnna; with the article, na cúnna means “the hounds”. The genitive plural is cúnna, as in rás na gcúnna (the race of the hounds).
Does cú have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cú can mean hound or hero, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cú change to chú or gcú?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cú becomes mo chú (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcú (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'cú' and 'madra'?
'Madra' is the ordinary word for dog, while 'cú' means a hound, especially a greyhound or hunting dog.
Why is the genitive 'chon' seen in old names?
Older Irish had the genitive 'con', still seen in phrases like 'caor chon', but the standard genitive today is 'cú', as in 'ceann an chú'.
